Ordination to the Diaconate

Bishop Murphy and I before Ordination.

As I work to “catch everyone up” I want to share a little bit with you about Ordination to the Diaconate on May 21, 2011. The Rite of Ordination takes places within the Celebration of the Eucharist and I thought perhaps walk through the rite might provide some good insight for all of us.

The Rite of Ordination begins after the proclamation of the Gospel.  Here, Msgr. Swiader, Vice Rector, and Msgr. Peter Vaccari, Rector, presented me as a candidate for Ordination to the Diaconate. After their dialogue with the Bishop, the assembly affirmed this (very humbling). Following the presentation, Bishop Murphy delivered his homily which incorporated the readings, my own journey and what it means to be a deacon in service of the Church.  It was a homily filled with many challenges to those called to diaconate and one that I have reflected on since my Ordination.

After the homily, before the entire assembly, I made five promises to the bishop – including a commitment to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and celibacy - and then came forward, knelt before him and promised obedience to him and his successors. As I listened to the questions put forth by the Bishop, they take on a very important meaning (and they should). While one can read the Rite or practice it, the moment itself holds its own particular significance.

Perhaps the most moving moment of the entire Rite takes place after the promises. I laid prostrate on the floor of the Seminary as the entire community prayed the Litany of the Saints.  We pray that litany, seeking the intercession and aid of the saints, on the person being ordained (me), and the entire Church.  

Following the Litany, I came before the Bishop for the laying on of hands. This is an ancient ritual in our Church that invokes the Holy Spirit. Then, I was vested with the liturgical garb of the Deacon – a stole across the chest and a dalmatic. Like other outward signs they signify to the assembly my role as a deacon in the liturgy and the life of the Church. A tradition is to ask two members of the clergy to “vest you”. For this investiture, I asked Msgr. Swiader, my Adviser, and Msgr. Joseph DeGrocco, Director of Liturgical Formation. Both of these priests have shown themselves to many others and myself to be tremendous examples of the potential for formation and growth. They were significant influences on me since I entered the Seminary and, I have a feeling, will continue to be for years to come.

After the investiture, I knelt before the Bishop again and received the Book of the Gospels. The words the Bishop says at this point have always been significant to me:

“Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach."

The final part of the Rite is the Sign of Peace exchanged first with the Bishop and then with the Order of Deacons present at the liturgy.

Fr. Mike Vetrano, Bishop Murphy and I after Ordination.

To say it was a moving and powerful day is an understatement. I was humbled by the tremendous support and care for me exhibited by all who gathered – from my own family to the community of the Seminary to the friends who gathered from the different ministries I have been blessed to belong. Without a doubt it is a day that changed my life forever.